In this final session on water in our NBI Deep Dive series, we demonstrate the benefits of forest restoration through a case study on the Brantas River basin in Indonesia. Here, deforestation for agriculture has led to increased soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and decreased water retention. These impacts have made floods more severe, reduced groundwater recharge, and exacerbated water scarcity in the dry season. The project aims to restore the degraded land and improve water management in the Brantas River catchment—for example, by establishing upstream agroforestry systems and constructing wells and biopori holes to increase water absorption.
In this webinar, we will take you step-by-step through the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) of forest restoration in the Brantas River basin. The assessment quantified the ecosystem services and economic impacts of the planned reforestation and water retention wells. We will explain how we developed a causal loop diagram and spreadsheet-based model, how we integrated climate data and results from spatial modelling, and how we calculated financial indicators for the project. Taking all these elements into account, we will conclude with an integrated cost-benefit analysis of the interventions and explain how stakeholders can use the results.
SPEAKER
- Emma Cutler
System Dynamics Analyst for Economic Law and Policy, IISD
MODERATOR
- Ronja Bechauf
Policy Analyst for Economic Law and Policy, IISD